Portable telephone set

ABSTRACT

A portable telephone set includes a case having first and second sides opposite to each other, a group of keys is located on the first side of the case, and a card loading mechanism. The case includes first and second portions located on the second side. The first portion can accommodate a battery pack, and the second portion is next to the first portion and accommodates the card loading mechanism. A card in which information is stored can be loaded to the card loading mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable telephone sets, and moreparticularly to a portable telephone set suitable for a global systemfor mobile communication (GSM).

Recently, it has been considered in Japan to employ, as a communicationsystem using portable telephone sets, the GSM which has been employed inEurope. The GSM does not require registration of a telephone number foreach portable telephone set. Each individual (subscriber) is assigned toa subscriber identity module in which information concerning thesubscriber is stored. If the subscriber exchanges the old portabletelephone set by a new one, the subscriber identity module is detachedfrom the old telephone set and is then inserted into the new one. If therent portable telephone set is used, the subscriber inserts the ownsubscriber identity module into the set. Thus, the new or rent portabletelephone set can be used as the subscriber own portable telephone set.

It has been considered that the subscriber identity module is realizedby a compact subscriber identity card in which an integrated circuitincluding a memory is built. Such a card has a size of, for instance, 25mm×15 mm.

The portable telephone set has been required to be thin and have astructure which enables the subscriber identity card to be easilydetached therefrom.

There is another card which can be inserted into the portable telephoneset. Such a card stores information important to the subscriber, such assubscriber identity information and accounting information. It is notdesired to easily detach, from the portable telephone set, theinformation cards suitable for the portable telephone set as describedabove in terms of privacy protection. The portable telephone set isrequired to satisfy the above.

In the present specification, the cards to be attached to the portabletelephone sets are referred to as portable telephone information cards.The portable telephone information cards include the above subscriberidentity card, and another card which stores information other than thesubscriber identity information.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of a portable telephone set 10 for the GSMdisclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-265404. Abattery pack 11 can be attached to the back surface of the portabletelephone set 10. A card loading mechanism 12 is provided in a bottomsurface portion of a battery pack mount portion 13 provided to the backsurface of the portable telephone set 10, that is, the back surface ofthe mounted battery pack 11. The battery pack mount portion 14 has abottom plate 14, in which a rectangular opening 15 is formed.

The subscriber identity card loading mechanism 12 is mainly composed ofa housing 20 and a holder 12. The housing 20 is fixed to the inside ofthe portable telephone set 10, and faces the opening 15. The holder 21is joined to the housing by a hinge.

A subscriber identity card 22 can be mounted as follows. The holder 21is rotated and set upright. Then, the subscriber identity card 22 isinserted into the holder 21, which is then depressed and rotated. Thus,the card 22 passes through the opening 15 and is engaged with thehousing 20.

The subscriber identity card 22 can be taken out by the reverseoperation. It should be noted that the subscriber identity card 22 whichis mounted cannot be taken out unless the battery pack 11 is taken out.

The above portable telephone set 10 has the following problems.

The battery pack mount portion 13 located in the back surface of theportable telephone set 10 includes a slight recess. A circuit board, atenkey and other components are tightly provided in a portion 16opposite to the battery pack mount portion 13. Thus, no space isavailable in which a new mechanism is provided. The card loadingmechanism 12 is provided in the above portion 16, and thus has anincreased thickness t1. Hence, the thickness t3 of the portabletelephone set 10 is equal to the sum of the thickness t2 necessary toprovide the circuit board, the tenkey and other components and thethickness t1 of the card loading mechanism 12. The thickness t3 preventsdown-sizing of the portable telephone set 10.

The holder 21 cannot be detached from the housing 20. Hence, it isnecessary to take the portable telephone 10 by hand in order to take outthe subscriber identity card 22 from the holder 21 and insert thesubscriber identity card 22 into the holder 21. The above istroublesome. Further, the card loading mechanism 12 has a complexstructure.

A detection switch detects the holder 21 even when the holder 21 havingno card is mounted. Hence, if the subscriber dials with no card insertedinto the holder 21, the portable telephone set 10 starts a correspondingcalling procedure although it is not completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a portabletelephone set in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a compactportable telephone set having a simplified card loading mechanism.

The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a portabletelephone set comprising: a case having first and second sides oppositeto each other; a group of keys located on the first side of the case;and a card loading mechanism. The case includes first and secondportions located on the second side. The first portion can accommodate abattery pack, and the second portion is next to the first portion andaccommodates the card loading mechanism. A card in which information isstored can be loaded to the card loading mechanism. The card loadingmechanism and the battery pack can be arranged side by side, so that thethickness of the portable telephone set can be reduced.

The above portable telephone set may be configured so that: the case hasa wall interposed between the first and second portions; and the wallhas an opening through which the card can be inserted into the secondportion and loaded to the card loading mechanism. Hence, the card cannotbe detached unless the battery pack is detached. Thus, it is possible toprevent the card from happening to be detached from the portabletelephone set.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the second portionincludes a protrusion with respect to a bottom portion of the firstportion. Such a protrusion means that there is a comparatively largespatial area in the portable telephone set. Hence, the card loadingmechanism can be provided in the second portion without a particulardifficulty.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the card loadingmechanism comprises: a housing located in the second portion; and a cardholder having a card accommodating portion in which the card can beaccommodated, the card holder having a spring portion which portion hasa handle portion with which a finger can be engaged, and an engagementcraw which can engage with a part of the housing when the card holder isinserted into the housing. A simple structure of the card loadingmechanism can be realized.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the spring portionis formed of a resin. Thus, the spring portion having a resilientproperty can be realized with ease.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that: the spring portionis formed of a resin and can be resiliently bent in a thicknessdirection of the portable telephone set; and the handle portion islocated in a free end of the spring portion. The card holder can easilybe drawn by a single-finger operation.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that: the spring portionis formed of a resin and can be resiliently bent in a thicknessdirection of the portable telephone set; the handle portion is locatedin a free end of the spring portion; and the card holder has anotherhandle portion located opposite to the handle portion. The card holdercan easily be drawn by using two fingers such as the thumb finger andthe forefinger.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that: the card holderhas a card holding portion having a spring property and projecting froma side of the card accommodating portion; and the card holding portionengages with a part of the card so that the card can be restricted inthe second portion. The card holding portion of the card holder cancertainly hold the card.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the card loadingmechanism comprises: a housing located in the second portion; a cardholder having a card accommodating portion in which the card can beaccommodated; and a detection switch which detects a situation in whichthe card holder with the card loaded thereto is inserted into thehousing. Hence, even if the card holder with no card accommodatedtherein is loaded to the portable telephone set, the portable telephoneset can be prevented from performing a meaningless or wasteful operationsuch as a calling procedure.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the detectionswitch has a terminal having a spring property, the terminal which canbe engaged with the card accommodated in the card holder. The sameadvantages as described above can be obtained.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the card holder hasa spring portion which portion has a handle portion with which a fingercan be engaged, and an engagement craw which can engage with a part ofthe housing when the card holder is inserted into the housing. The cardholding portion of the card holder can certainly hold the card.

The portable telephone set may be configured so that the card loadingmechanism can receive the card in a state in which the battery pack isdetached from the first portion. Hence, the card can be prevented frombeing drawn in the state in which the battery pack is attached to theportable telephone set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of a conventional portable telephone set;

FIG. 2A is a partially-cutout plan view of a portable telephone setaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the portable telephone set shown inFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portable telephone setshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view taken along an arrow III shown inFIG. 2B;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a subscriber identity card loadingmechanism of the portable telephone set;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a card holder of the portable telephoneset;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are diagrams of the subscriber identity cardholding mechanism to which a card is loaded;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of a detection switch built in the portabletelephone set;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing an operation of drawingthe card holder from the portable telephone set;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing an operation of loadingthe card holder

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show another subscriber identity loadingmechanism;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a state in which thesubscriber identity card loading mechanism is installed in the portabletelephone set;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams of a card holder;

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are diagrams of a housing; and

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are diagrams of another detection switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of a portable telephone set 30 which can beapplied to the GSM according to an embodiment of the present invention.Further, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portabletelephone set 30. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view taken alongarrow III shown in FIG. 2B.

The portable telephone set 30 has a front case 32 and a back case 34between which a printed wiring board unit 36 is interposed. The wholecase of the portable telephone set 30 includes the cases 32 and 34. Thefront case 32 is equipped with a key group sheet 31 on which a pluralityof keys are arranged. The back case 34 is equipped with an antenna 37.The printed wiring board unit 36 is equipped with a liquid crystal unit35. The front case 32, the rear case and the printed wiring board unit36 are longitudinal in directions Y1 and Y2. A housing 51, which will bedescribed in detail later, is attached to the printed wiring board unit36. The portable telephone set 30 has a front surface facing in adirection Z1, and a back surface facing in a direction Z2.

A plurality of keys 39 are arranged in a front surface 30a of theportable telephone set 30 so that the keys 39 occupy an area located ina direction Y2 with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction.A display window 40 of the liquid crystal unit 35 and an acoustic outputpart 41 formed of a speaker are provided in an area located in adirection Y1 with respect to the keys 39. An acoustic output part 42formed of a microphone is provided in the area located in the directionY2 with respect to the key 39.

A battery pack mounting portion 45 is provided to the back surface 30bof the portable telephone set 30 and is located in the area extending inthe direction Y2 from the center in the longitudinal direction. In otherwords, the battery pack mounting portion 45 is located in the portioncorresponding to the arrangement of the keys 39. A battery pack 46having a length approximately equal to half the length of the portabletelephone set 30 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 45. Thebattery pack mounting portion 45 has a recess which causes the backsurface 30b of the portable telephone set 30 with the battery pack 46mounted to be a flat surface. A portion 47, which is adjacent to thebattery pack mounting portion 45 in the longitudinal direction andtotally occupies the whole located in the direction Y1 with respect tothe battery pack mounting portion 45, has a projection projecting from abottom surface 45a in the direction Z1. Hereinafter, the portion 47 willbe referred to as a battery pack mount adjacent portion The interfacebetween the battery pack mounting portion 45 and the battery packadjacent portion 47 is a vertical wall 45b which stands upright in thedirection Z1 from the bottom surface 45a. A card holder insertingopening 45-b is formed in a lower end portion of the vertical wall 45b.The lower side of the vertical wall 45b corresponds to the position inwhich the card holder insertion opening 45-b is formed. Hence, as willbe described in detail later with reference to FIG. 10, when the cardholder 52 is placed on the bottom surface 45a of the battery packmounting portion 45 of the portable telephone set 30, the card holder 52faces the card holder insertion opening 45-b.

The portable telephone set 30 has a subscriber identity card loadingmechanism 50, which is provided in an inner space 47a of the batterypack mount adjacent portion 47. The mechanism 50 is built in theportable telephone set 30 without any increase in the thickness thereofbecause the battery pack mount adjacent portion 47 projects from thebottom surface 45a of the battery pack mounting portion 45, and islocated in the area which has a larger spatial margin than the otherarea of the portable telephone set 30. Further, the size of the cardloading mechanism 50 itself is small. The thickness of the portabletelephone set 30, which is denoted as t10, is equal to that obtainedwhen the card loading mechanism 50 is not installed.

A description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7A through7E, of the structure of the subscriber identity card loading mechanism50.

The card loading mechanism 50 includes the housing 51 and the cardholder 52 which holds the subscriber identity card 22 and is attached tothe housing 51. The card loading mechanism 50 has an upper surfacefacing in the direction Z1, a lower surface in the direction Z2, a frontsurface in the direction Y2, and a rear portion in the direction Y1. Thewidth of the mechanism 50 extends in the directions X1 and X2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the subscriber identity card 22 includes a built-inintegrated circuit 22a and six electrodes 22b provided to the lowersurface of the card 22. Further, the subscriber identity card 22 has achamfered corder 22c.

The card holder 52 is a synthetic resin molded component, and has a flatshape which is long in the directions Y1 and Y2. The card holder 52includes a subscriber identity card accommodating portion 52a providedto the lower surface side, a front panel portion 52b, and a cantileverplate spring 52c provided to the upper surface side. Further, the cardholder 52 has rail portions 52d and 52e which are provided to endsthereof located in the directions X1 and X2 and extend in the directionsY1 and Y2.

The subscriber identity card accommodating portion 52a has a size whichcorresponds to the subscriber identity card 22, and a depth "a"corresponding to the thickness t20 of the card 22 so that the cardaccommodating portion 52a has a flat recess shape into which thesubscriber identity card can be accommodated. The card accommodatingportion 52a includes a slant portion 52a-1, which corresponds to thechamfered corner 22a. Two plate springs 52a-2 and 52a-3 made ofsynthetic resin are provided to the end X2 of the card accommodatingportion 52a so that the free ends thereof face each other and arearranged in a line in the directions Y1 and Y2. The plate springs 52a-2and 52a-3 can be resiliently bent in the direction X2. The plate springs52a-2 and 52a-3 function as subscriber identity card holding portionshaving a spring property. Further, holes 52a-4 and 52-5 for pushing outthe subscriber identity card are formed in the vicinity of the ends ofthe bottom of the card accommodating portion 52a in the direction Y1.

The front panel portion 52b has a U-shaped cutout portion 52b-1 locatedat the center thereof. Protrusions 52b-2 and 52b-3 which protrude in thedirection Z1 are provided on both sides of the U-shaped cutout portion52b-1. The U-shaped cutout portion 52b-1 functions to accommodate ahandle portion 52c-3 which will be described in detail later. Theprotrusions 52b-2 and 52b-3 come into contact with a counter U-shapedframe portion 51a-4a which will also be described later.

The cantilever plate spring 52c is integrally formed when molding thecard holder 52, and is formed so that a portion of the upper surface ofthe card holder 52 in the width direction (in the directions X1 and X2)is cut and raised. The plate spring 52c has a width W1 that isapproximately equal to 1/4 of the width W2 of the card holder 52. Theplate spring 52c has a root portion 52c-1 located in the center of thecard holder 52 in the directions Y1 and Y2. The root portion 52c-1stands upright by a distance "b" so that the remaining portion of theplate spring 52c horizontally extends to the front panel portion 52b inthe direction Y2. The cantilever plate spring 52c has an engagement claw52c-2 that is located in the center of the upper surface thereof andprojects in the direction Z1. Further, the cantilever plate spring 52chas the handle portion 52c-3 located at the end thereof. The engagementclaw 52c-2 has a slant surface 52c-2a in the direction Y1, and avertical surface 52c-2b in the direction Y2. The handle portion 52c-3has a recess portion 52c-3a on the upper surface oriented in thedirection Y1. The recess portion 52c-3a makes it possible for the end ofthe forefinger of the hand of the operator to be easily engaged with thehandle 52c-3. Further, the handle portion 52c-3 is located in theU-shaped cutout portion 52b-1 of the front panel portion 52b.

When the handle portion 52c-3 is pushed in the direction Z2, thecantilever plate spring 52c is bent and the engagement claw 52c-2 isthus displaced in the direction Z2. The cantilever plate spring 52c islocated over the upper surface of the card holder 52 by the distance"b". Hence, even if the spring portion 52c is bent, it is not enteredinto the subscriber identity card accommodating portion 52a.

The housing 51 includes a housing main body 51a made of synthetic resin,a plurality of terminals 51b fixed to the housing main body 51a, and adetection switch 51c provided to the housing main body 51a. The housing51 has a size greater than the card holder 52.

The housing main body 51a includes a bottom plate portion 51a-1,sidewall portions 51a-2 and 51a-3, and a counter U-shaped frame portion51a-4. The sidewall portions 51a-2 and 52-3 which are located on boththe sides of the housing main body 51a in the directions X1 and X2 andextend upwards in the direction Z1. The counter frame portion 51a-4 arelocated on both the sides in the direction Y2. Guide grooves 51a-5 and51-6 are formed in the parts of the sidewall portions 51a-2 and 51a-3which face the bottom plate portion 51a-1. A guard holder accommodatingportion 51d is formed on the upper surface side of the bottom plateportion 51a-1. The guard holder accommodating portion 51d has a flatspace partitioned by the sidewall portions 51a-2 and 51a-3. The counterU-shaped frame portion 51a-4 forms an entrance 51e to the card holderaccommodating portion 51d. Two bosses 51a-1a and 51a-1b for defining theattachment position of the housing 51 are formed on the lower surface ofthe bottom plate portion 51a-1.

The counter U-shaped frame portion 51a-4 includes a central counterU-shaped frame portion 51a-4a, which is a step portion higher than theframe portion 51a-4. The portion 51a-4a is provided to allow thecantilever plate spring 52c of the card holder 52 to pass therethrough.Two upright portions 51a-4b and 51a-4c located on both sides of theframe portion 51a-4a receive the protrusions 52b-2 and 52b-3 when thecard holder 52 is inserted. A cut portion 51a-4e having a U shapecorresponding to the size of the engagement claw 52c-2 is formed in anend of the frame portion 51a-4a extending in the direction Y1. The frameportion 51a-4d functions as an engagement portion with which theengagement claw 52c-2 is engaged.

The six terminal members 51b are fixed to the upper surface 51a-1a ofthe bottom plate portion 51a-1. Arc-shaped terminal portions 51b-1 arerespectively provided on the ends of the six terminal members 51b so asto correspond to the six electrodes 22b of the subscriber identity card22. Terminal portions 51b-2 provided on the other ends of the sixterminal members 51b extend outwards from the ends in the directions Y1and Y2. The terminal portions 51b-2 have the same height as that of thelower surface 51a-1b of the bottom plate portion 51a-1.

Referring to FIG. 8A additionally, the detection switch 51c has a firstcontact member 51c-1 and an L-shaped second contact member 51c-2, and isnormally closed. The first contact member 51c-1 and the second contactmember 51c-2 are fixed to the lower surface 51a-1b of the bottom plateportion 51a-1. The first contact member 51c-1 has one end located in thedirection Y1, which end is fixed, while the other end thereof canflexibly be bent. The first contact 51c-1 has a convex portion 51c-1aprotruding in the direction Z1. More particularly, the convex portion51c-1a slightly protrudes from the upper surface 51a-1a of the bottomplate portion 51a-1 via an opening window 51a-1c of the bottom plateportion 51a-1. The opening window 51a-1c (the convex portion 51c-1a) isdisposed in a position in which the opening window 51a-1c is pushed bythe subscriber identity card 22 held in the card holder 52 when the cardholder 52 is inserted into the housing 51.

When the subscriber identity card 22 is not inserted into the cardholder 52, the first contact member 51c-1 is in contact with the secondcontact member 51c-2, as shown in FIG. 8A. Hence, the detection switch51c is maintained in the closed state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printed wiring board unit 36 has a flexibleprinted circuit board used to attach the housing 51 thereto. Theflexible printed circuit board 60 extending from the inside of theprinted wiring board unit 36 is folded and adheres to the upper surfaceof the unit 36. A plurality of lands 61 are provided to the flexibleprinted circuit board 60 so as to have an arrangement which correspondsto the terminal portions 51b-2. Holes 62 are formed in the upper surfaceof the unit 36 and the board 60 so that the positions of the holes 62correspond to those of the bosses 51a-1a and 51a-1b.

The housing 51 is positioned so that the bosses 51a-1a and 51a-1b areengaged with the holes 62. The terminal portions 51b-2 are soldered tothe lands 61. Then, the housing 51 is mounted on the upper surface ofthe printed wiring board unit 36 so that the entrance 51e is orientedalong the direction Y2.

The housing 51 can completely be accommodated in the battery pack mountadjacent portion 47, and the entrance 51e faces a card holder insertionopening 45b-1 of the vertical wall 45b in the state in which the printedwiring board unit 36 is covered by the front case 32 and the back case34.

As shown in FIG. 4, a finger inserting recess portion 45b-2 is formed inthe vertical wall 45b in addition to the card holder insertion opening45b-1, which opening has a shape corresponding to the front panelportion 52b of the card holder 52. The finger inserting recess portion45b-2 makes it easy for the forefinger of the operator to engage withthe handle portion 52c-3. The finger inserting recess portion 45b-2 islocated just above the card holder insertion opening 45b-1, and isrecessed in the direction Y1 so that the degree of recess is increasedin the direction Z2.

In the state in which the card holder 52 is accommodated in the housing51, as shown in FIG. 4, the front panel portion 52b is stayed in thecard holder insertion opening 45b-1, and the handle portion 52c-3projects from the lower end of the finger inserting recess portion45b-2.

Next, a description will be given of a procedure and operation to becarried out when the operator who rents a portable telephone set insertshis or her own subscriber identity card 22 therein.

The above procedure is comprised of the following first to fifth steps.The first step is to detach the battery pack 46 from the portabletelephone set 30. The second step is to take out the card holder 52having no card. The third step is to insert the own subscriber identitycard 22 into the card holder 52. The fourth step is to load the cardholder 52 with the card 22 inserted therein to the housing 51. The fifthstep is to attach the battery pack 46.

The above first to fifth steps will be described in more detail below.

In the first step, the battery pack 46 is detached from the portabletelephone set 30. Hence, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle portion 52c-3 isexposed.

In the second step, the card holder 52 having no card is drawn and takenout. As shown in FIG. 9, a forefinger 70 is inserted into the fingerinsertion recess portion 45b-2. Then, as indicated by an arrow 71, thehandle portion 52c-3 is pressed in the direction Z2, and is thereafterdrawn in the direction Y2 as indicated as indicated by an arrow 72. Inthe operation of pressing the handle portion 52c-3 in the direction Z2,as shown in FIG. 7D, the cantilever plate spring 52c is bent in thedirection Z2, and the engagement claw 52c-2 is disengaged from thecentral counter U-shaped frame portion 51a-4a. Hence, the card holder 52is released from the locked state in which it is locked to the housing51. The forefinger 70 strongly engages with the recess portion 52c-3a ofthe handle portion 52c-3. In the subsequent operation, the claw portion52c-2 passes below the frame portion 51a-4a, so that the card holder 52is drawn to the outside of the housing 51.

As described above, the card holder 52 can be drawn by the operation ofonly the forefinger.

In the third step, the subscriber identity card 22 of the operator isinserted in the card holder 52. The card 22 is lightly pushed in thesubscriber identity card accommodating portion 52a in the directionreverse to the direction shown in FIG. 6A so that the card accommodatingportion 52a faces up. hence, the plate springs 52a-2 and 52a-3 areresiliently bent, so that the card 22 is loaded to the card holder 52.In this state, the card holder 52 is detached from the portabletelephone set 30. Hence, it is very easy for the operator to load his orher own subscriber identity card 22 to the subscriber identity cardaccommodating portion 52a.

The card 22 can be correctly loaded to the card holder 52 due to thefunction of the chamfered portion 22c of the card 22 and the slantportion 52-1 of the card accommodating portion 52a. The card 22 ispushed in the single direction by the plate springs 52a-2 and 52a-3.Hence, even when the card holder 52 is turned reversely so that the cardaccommodating portion 52a faces down, the card 22 does not drop off.

In the fourth step, the card holder 52 is inserted into and loaded tothe housing 51.

As shown in FIG. 10, the card holder 52 is placed on the bottom surface45a of the battery pack loading portion 45 of the portable telephone set30 so that the card holder 52 faces the card holder insertion opening45b-1. Then, the card holder 52 is made to slide in the direction Y1 sothat it passes through the card holder insertion opening 45b-1. Hence,the card holder 52 is inserted into the housing 51. When the card holder52 is placed on the bottom surface 45a of the battery pack mountingportion 45, the card holder 52 faces the card holder insertion opening45b-1. This arrangement facilitates the operation of orienting the cardholder 52 toward the card holder insertion opening 45b-1, so that thecard holder 52 can easily be loaded to the housing 51.

The card holder 52 is guided and regulated in the directions X1, X2, Z1and Z2 so that the rail portions 52d and 52e engages with the guidegrooves 51a-5 and 51a-6 of the housing 51. As shown in FIG. 4, the cardholder 52 is inserted until the handle portion 52c-3 is engaged with thecard holder insertion opening 45b-1.

The card holder 52 is prevented from moving in the direction Z1 becausethe rail portions 52d and 52e engage with the guide grooves 51a-5 and51a-6. The subscriber identity card 22 is prevented from moving in thedirection Z1 due to the function of the card holder 52. Hence, thesubscriber identity card 22 cannot move in the direction Z1.

As shown in FIG. 7E, when the engagement claw 52c-2 comes into contactwith the central counter U-shaped frame portion 51a-4a, the slantsurface 52c-2 is guided by the frame portion 51a-4a, and the cantileverplate sprint 52c is resiliently bent in the direction Z2. Hence, theengagement craw 52c-2 enters below the frame portion 51a-4a. In otherwords, the card holder 52 can be inserted into the housing 51 by merelypushing the card holder 52 in the direction Y2 rather than speciallydepressing the handle portion 52c-3. This also makes it easy to load thecard holder 52 to the housing 51.

When the card holder 52 is inserted into the final position of thehousing 51, the engagement claw 52c-2 passes through the central counterU-shaped frame portion 51a-4a, and the cantilever plate spring 52c isresiliently returned to the original state. Further, the verticalsurface 52c-2b of the engagement claw 52c-2 engages with the frameportion 51a-4a. Thus, the card holder 52 is locked to the housing 51 andis prevented from being detached therefrom.

When the card holder 52 is inserted into the final position of thehousing 51, the six electrodes 22b of the subscriber identity card 22come into contact with the six arc-shaped terminal portions 51b-1. Asshown in FIG. 8B, the lower surface 22e of the subscriber identity cardpushes down the convex portion 51c-1a. Hence, the first contact member51c-1 is detached from the second contact member 51c-2 and the detectionswitch 51c is opened. Information which indicates that the subscriberidentity card 22 has been loaded to the card holder 52 is supplied to agiven circuit of the portable telephone set 30. As has been describedpreviously, the subscriber identity card 22 cannot move in the directionZ1. Hence, the contacts between the electrodes 22b and the terminalportions 51b-1 can be definitely established and the detection switch51c can be definitely closed.

In the fifth step, the battery pack 46 is attached to the portabletelephone set 30. In this state, the portable telephone set 30 isswitched to a state in which the owner of the subscriber identity card22 can be identified. Since the detection switch 51c is opened, theportable telephone set 30 operates normally. In the state in which thebattery pack 46 is attached to the portable telephone set 30, the handleportion 52c-3 is hidden by the battery pack 46. Hence, the subscriberidentity card 22 cannot be detached from the portable telephone set 30in the state in which the battery pack 46 is attached thereto. As aresult, there is no possibility that the subscriber identity card 22happens to be detached from the portable telephone set 30.

The detection switch 51c is closed in the state in which the card holder52 with no card is loaded to the portable telephone set 30, which is notthus operated. Hence, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of thewasteful calling procedure which is encountered in the prior art.

The card holder 52 with the card 22 attached can be detached asdescribed above. As shown in FIG. 7C, the cantilever plate spring 52c islocated, by a relatively large distance "c", above the upper surface ofthe subscriber identity card 22 loaded to the card holder 52. Hence,even if the cantilever plate spring 52 is bent downwards, it cannot comeinto contact with the subscriber identity card 22, and hence theengagement claw 52c-2 can be certainly detached from the central counterU-shaped frame portion 51a-4a. Hence, the subscriber identity card 22 isdetached from the card holder 52, the card 22 is pushed by a tip end ofa ballpoint pen or the like, which is inserted in the hole 52a-4 and/or52a-5. Hence, the subscriber identity card 22 can easily be detached.

A description will now be given of another subscriber identity cardloading mechanism 50A by referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 12, 13, 14A,14B and 14C.

The subscriber card loading mechanism 50A includes a housing 51A and acard holder 52A, which holds the subscriber identity card 22 and isloaded to the housing 51A. The subscriber card loading mechanism 50A hasa structure in which the card holder 52A has handle portions located onsides X1 and X2. The other portions of the card loading mechanism 50Aare the same as corresponding those of the card loading mechanism 50.

As shown in FIG. 13A, handle portions 52Ac-3A and 52Ac-3b are providedon the sides X1 and X2 of a front panel portion 52Ab. The handle portion52Ac-3a is provided to a spring portion 52Ac, which has an engagementclaw 52Ac-2 located at the tip end of the spring portion 52Aa. Further,the spring portion 52Aa is resiliently bent in the width direction ofthe portable telephone set 30A. The card holder 52A is inserted so thatthe rail portions are guided by guide grooves of the housing 51A. Theengagement claw 52Ac-2 engages with a recess portion 51Ab of the housing51A.

As shown in FIG. 12, a card holder insertion opening 45Ab-1 is formed ina vertical wall 45Ab of a battery pack mounting portion 45A of theportable telephone set 30A. Further, finger insertion recess portions45Ab-2a and 45Ab-2b are formed on the sides X1 and X2 of the card holderinsertion opening 45Ab-1.

A thumb finger 75 is inserted into the recess portion 45Ab-2b, and theforefinger 70 is inserted into a finger insertion opening 45Ab-2ba.Then, the handle portions 52Ac-3a and 52Ac-3b are slightly gripped, andthe spring portion 52Ac is bent so that the engagement claw 52Ac-2 isdrawn from the recess portion 51Ap. In this state, the card holder 52Ais drawn in the direction Y2, and is finally detached from the housing51A. In the above manner, the card holder 52A can be drawn to the tablewhile gripping the handle portions 52Ac-3a and 52Ac-3b without grippingagain.

The operation steps of the subscriber identity card loading mechanism50A are the same as those of the mechanism 50, and a description thereofwill be omitted.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C show a variation of the detection switch 51c. Adetection switch 51Ac shown in these figures includes a first contactmember 101 and a second contact member 102. As shown in FIGS. 15A and15B, the detection switch 51Ac is normally maintained in the closedstate, and is located at an end of the subscriber identity card loadingmechanism 50 in the direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 15C, the detectionswitch 51Ac is pushed by the end surface 22f of the subscriber identitycard 22 located in the direction Y1 and is thus opened when the cardholder with the card 22 loaded thereto is loaded to the housing.

The detection switch 51Ac provided in the end of the mechanism in thedirection Y1 is attractive when the subscriber identity card has a largenumber of electrodes, for example, eight electrodes, and a large numberof terminal members is required to be formed on the bottom of thehousing.

The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are directed tothe use of the subscriber identity card. However, the present inventionis not limited to the subscriber identity card, and includes any card inwhich information is stored.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable telephone set comprising:a case havingfirst and second sides opposite to each other; a group of keys locatedon the first side of the case; and a card loading mechanism, the caseincluding first and second portions located on the second side, thefirst portion which can accommodate a battery pack, and the secondportion which is next to the first portion and accommodates the cardloading mechanism, a card in which information is stored being loaded tothe card loading mechanism, wherein the card loading mechanismcomprises: a housing located in the second portion; and a card holderhaving a card accommodating portion in which the card can beaccommodated, the card holder having a spring portion which portion hasa handle portion with which a finger can be engaged, and an engagementclaw which can engage with a part of the housing when the card holder isinserted into the housing.
 2. The portable telephone set as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the spring portion is formed of a resin.
 3. Theportable telephone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the spring portionis formed of a resin and can be resiliently bent in a thicknessdirection of the portable telephone set; and the handle portion islocated in a free end of the spring portion.
 4. The portable telephoneset as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the spring portion is formed of aresin and can be resiliently bent in a thickness direction of theportable telephone set; the handle portion is located in a free end ofthe spring portion; and the card holder has another handle portionlocated opposite to the handle portion.
 5. The portable telephone set asclaimed in claim 1, wherein:said card holder has a card holding portionhaving a spring property and projecting from a side of the cardaccommodating portion; and the card holding portion engages with a partof the card so that the card can be restricted in the second portion. 6.A portable telephone set comprising:a case having first and second sidesopposite to each other; a group of keys located on the first side of thecase; and a card loading mechanism, the case including first and secondportions located on the second side, the first portion which canaccommodate a battery pack, and the second portion which is next to thefirst portion and accommodates the card loading mechanism, a card inwhich information is stored being loaded to the card loading mechanismwherein the card loading mechanism further comprises: a housing locatedin the second portion; a card holder having a card accommodating portionin which the card can be accommodated; and a detection switch whichdetects a situation in which the card holder with the card loadedthereto is inserted into the housing, wherein the card holder has aspring portion which portion has a handle portion with which a fingercan be engaged, and an engagement claw which can engage with a part ofthe housing when the card holder is inserted into the housing.